Discover England-funded ‘Connections’ has developed 40 new and updated ancestral, WWII and migration bookable tours to encourage both domestic and international visitors to experience more of real England.

The purpose of the project - running in partnership with Visit Bristol, Visit Bath, Destination Plymouth, Visit Hampshire, Visit Kent, Visit Hertfordshire, Visit Devon, Visit Essex, Gloucester City Council and Visit Cornwall - is to encourage tour guides to help customers experience more of the real England, while showcasing several new bookable tourism products, experiences and suggested itineraries.

Through partnering with both AncestryProGenealogists® and Canadian-based Kensington Tours, the project organisers are also able to facilitate additional one-of-a-kind heritage tours with the assistance of professional genealogists, offering bespoke personalised experiences around themes including Southern England Heritage Journey and We'll Meet Again (American Airfields in England).

‘Connections' was one of several successful projects to benefit from the UK Government's £40 million Discover England Fund. The fund is administered by VisitEngland and involves a programme of activity to ensure that England stays competitive in the rapidly growing global tourism industry by offering world-class English tourism products to the right customers at the right time.

Information and resources for tour operators can be accessed via www.england-connections.com